Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel, Mula

San Miguel Arcángel is the main church in Mula

The Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel, the church of Saint Michael. is the main parroquial church in Mula, and is located in the urban centre of the town in Plaza Mayor and opposite the Town Hall, accessed via Calle Boticas, la cuesta del Caño or Calle de San Miguel.

This is the seat of the patron saint of the town, and contains his relics, and also has an impressive funerary crypt below its floors.

A visit to the church comprises both the main church itself, and the small museum of art of St Michael, which is at the side of the church and houses a collection of religious paintings donated by an important local family.

The church has a simple structure in a latin cross, with a central nave and three chapels on either side, crowned by a templete on the main altar, in which the figure of San Miguel appears, with Lucifer lying defeated at his feet.

History of the church of San Miguel Arcángel13th century

The foundation of the Parroquía of San Miguel dates back to the days of the Reconquist in 1243, when young prince Alfonso of Castile, later to become King Alfonso X, El Sabio, entered the fortified moorish settlement of Mula, bringing christianity to a Muslim Kingdom.

He created two parroquías, San Miguel and Santo Domingo, it being likely that the first parroquial church was in the location of the current church dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen on the perimeter of the old moorish wall in the north of the town.

15th and 16th centuriesIn 1430 Mula was given to Alfonso Yáñez Fajardo II, of the ambitious and increasingly powerful Fajardo family, who became the Marqueses de los Veléz in 1507, making Mula the seat of their administration. At this time, Mula had around 1000 inhabitants.

The town expanded and became wealthier, and in 1560, the Veléz family set about constructing the existing church in its present location. Although the church was subsequently amplified and modified, the core elements of the structure date from this period, and inside the church visitors can view the funerary family chapel of the V Marqués de los Veléz, a glass floor which can be lit by dropping a coin in a box showing the interior of the family crypt below. This whole chapel has been recently restored.

17th centuryIn 1618 the southern door was altered, and a plaque situated in the fachada says that the church was amplified and completed during the reign of Felipe III, with the works paid for by Luis Fajardo, although it was again remodelled at the end of the 17th century. The bell tower dates from 1638.

The baroque panelling which characterises the church and the wrought iron work on the pulpit are by Lorenzo del Campo and Francisco Sanchez Ortiz and date from this period.

18th and 19th century
The western door, the main entrance door, with Cehegín marble surround, was built at the beginning of the 18th century, along with the steps which lead down into the plaza below.

20th CenturyAlong with many other churches throughout the region, the church, and the works of art it contained, suffered significant damage during the Civil War.

The main artworks and sculptures all date from the subsequent remodelling : the altars of the side chapels are dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, ( The Virgen de Dolores) by Jose Sanchez Lozano, (1940,) with a recumbent Christ, and altarpiece by Juan Manuel Carrillo Marco (1940). The Altarpiece of San Felipe and images of the Martyr were completed in 1943 by Don Vicente Benedito.

The image of San Miguel Arcángel was completed in 1942 by Vicente Benedito, and is above the "Cámara Santa", which contains an eclectic collection of items donated to, and collected by the church, including a reproduction of the figure of the Virgen de la Arrixaca which was brought to Murcia by Alfonso X in 1243. She was formerly the patrona of Murcia capital, before being supplanted by the Virgen de la Fuensanta.

This is next to the Templete, which contains the image of the title saint, from which visitors can descend by a staircase to a subterranean area of the church. This can be viewed from above via a glass section in the floor, and was the inspiration of Priest, Esteban Monreal, who had been imprisoned in the church of San Juan Bautista in Murcia during the Civil War.

This area holds a number of interesting photographs showing the restoration works which were carried out in the church after the Civil War.

Where is the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel, Mula?

The church is located in Calle San Miguel. Mula, off Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Its advisable to check with the tourist office if planning to bring a group to visit, Tel 968 661 501

Parking near to the church can be a bit of a challenge, as can any parking in the streets of the old quarter of Mula. The most sensible option is park down by the Glorieta Juan Carlos I and then walk up the hill. This is a good place to stop off afterwards for a coffee and tapas after exploring the old quarter.

Church services in Mula
Services in the church. Click through to Hours of mass in Mula to see details of masses in the town.

MUSEO DE ARTE de SAN MIGUEL ARCÁNGEL in Mula

Right next to the church is the Museo de Arte de San Miguel, which holds a collection of religious artworks donated by Don Pedro Luis Blaya and Doña Pilar de la Canal in 1942.

It has a small collection of pieces, dating from the 16th to 20th centuries, including some interesting pieces painted on glass, and is worth visiting as part of an excursion to the church itself.

Opening times: Mornings, Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 1pm and then coinciding with evening mass at 8pm.

Calle de San Miguel
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Mula
30170
Tel 968 662 277

There is a small entry fee of 2 euros which goes towards the upkeep of the church.